Midland Shooters Association, Midland, Texas

Shooting Categories: Rifle

Bench Rest

In Bench Rest shooting, participants fire their rounds while seated at a steady bench with the rifle supported by a front and rear rest. This allows for highly precise bullet placement.

The goals of the Bench Rest shooters at MSA are the same as the National Bench Rest Shooters Association:

The development and encouragement of extreme accuracy in rifles, ammuntion, equipment and shooting methods;
The achievement of extreme precision in rifles, ammunition, equipment, and shooting methods by shooting "groups";
To standardize on a national basis the entire Bench Rest Shooting program so that targets, ranges, scoring methods, records and match procedure will be uniform and comparable;
To assist and encourage any individual or organization in the promotion of Bench Rest Shooting; and,
To gather and make available to its members pertinent statistics and technical data.

MSA Match Director: Mike Conry - 683.1332

3 Gun

3 Gun is an action sport involving rifle, pistol and shotgun, shooting a variety of different types of targets in tactical scenario-based event. We generally shoot four scenarios in a match, which takes about 3 hours. We break up into four squads each under the direction of a range safety officer or squad leader. The squad rotates through the scenarios until all four are completed by each shooter. Scoring is based on time and how well you hit the targets.

This is a great place to improve your shooting skill and improve safety and handling as well. It’s great fun with good folks to shoot with. It is our policy that a person who has never competed in these type events come and be a part as a scorer for one match to get the rules understood before actual shooting. This seems to work better than coming in cold turkey and being overwhelmed with rules and dealing with three different guns.

Matches are 3rd Saturday each month starting at 9am. Safety meeting and walk through at 8:45am. All times are one hour earlier for summer months. Check the MSA calendar for any changes in time or dates.

Equipment needed:

AR 15, Mini 14, AK47 type rifles preferred.
Any shotgun; semi auto or pump preferred.
Any handgun; semi auto preferred.

The type and type of sight determined what class you are in. Match fee is $10.

MSA Match Directors: Freddy Haltom - 694.3806; fwh@grandecom.net

22LR Rifle Silhouette Competition

Like a challenge? Looking for a positive, fun-filled, family friendly activity? If so, come join the MSA 22LR Silhouette Competition held the third Saturday of the month according to the schedule. The MSA 22LR Silhouette Competition is a fun yet challenging match where reactive, steel "knock-overs" are shot at 25 yards (chickens), 50 yards (pigs), 75 yards (turkeys), and 100 yards (rams). Any 22LR rifle is acceptable!

Adult competitors are divided into 5 skill-level appropriate "classes." Classes are determined by one's accomplished score (how many critters you knock down!). Younger competitors are divided into two classes, Juniors (12-17) and Sub-Juniors (11 and under). All shooting is shot off-hand without assistance with the exception of Sub-Junior competitors, who shoot from rest. All competitors under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult (18 years of age and older) on the firing line. Awards are given for the match winner and for the 1st and 2nd place winner of each class. All youngsters are rewarded!

MSA Match Director: Tony Dilley - 520.5449

High Power Rifle

Welcome, since you're reading this, you are probably new to High Power Rifle competition. Don't worry about your first score, it's not important. Just handle your rifle safely, listen to and follow the range officer's commands and you'll be fine.

The National Match Course as we shoot it at MSA has 5 sighter shots in 5 minutes followed by four shooting stages:

Match No. 1 is 10 shots slow fire, standing, in 10 minutes.
Match No. 2 is 10 shots rapid fire, sitting with a mandatory reload, in 60 seconds.
Match no. 3 is 10 shots rapid fire, prone with a mandatory reload, in 70 seconds.
Match No. 4 is 20 shots slow fire, prone, in 20 minutes. In the slow fire stages (including all sighters) load one shot at a time.

In the rapid fire stages, we will start in the standing position, ready to load a clip or magazine of 2 or 5 rounds (depending on what kind of rifle you are shooting). On the LOAD command you will insert your clip or magazine of ammunition. With an M1 rifle, the bolt is closed and safety is on, with other rifles, the bolt is not closed until you commence firing. At the horn you will get into the shooting position, close your bolt and begin firing. Shoot the rounds you have loaded, reload the rifle and continue shooting until you hear the horn blow again. Often beginners will get caught up in the pace of rapid fire and shoot too fast. Try to pace yourself, and get your shots off at 3 to 4 second intervals. If you take your time aiming and firing, you should have a better score.

While all this seems like a lot to learn, in practice it is very simple and with a little experience, you will start shooting better scores. We ALWAYS welcome new shooters (especially juniors) and usually have loaner rifles available for those who would like to try the sport. Call us, we would be happy to talk to you.

Matches are the 1st saturday of each month excluding July and September; please refer to the MSA Calendar.

John Krenik - 432.697.1154

F Class Rifle

F Class Rifle is a great event for those desiring to learn how to shoot longer distances. We shoot 500 meters here at MSA. This is for any rifle shooting from a prone position. You will shoot five 5 shot groups, taking the best two groups score. The target is about 20 inches out side of the 5 ring with the 10 ring about 3 inches. The best possible score will be 100 plus X count. Most F Class events allow front and rear bags. We only allow rests or bipod in front of the action and only touching your body from the action back.

Match dates are the Sunday afternoon/evening after 3 Gun Saturday, which is 3rd Saturday. Check the MSA calendar for start times. The times will vary according to daylight hours. Match fee is $5. Spots are limited and reserved on first come basis. Reservation is confirmed on payment of match fee.

Match Director - John Drissel - 889-5061; jcdrissel@sbcglobal.net